Apparatus for forming paved channels

ABSTRACT

A paving machine for laying asphalt, preferably in double-curbed channel form, is provided with a steerable ground-engaging support section, a material storage hopper and a heater and spreader section through which fluidized asphaltic material is dispensed through detachable and interchangeable orifice means and is thereby formed into a paved trough of any desired crosssectional configuration.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Napoleon G. Lafleur 20 L'Homme SL; Roger F. Lal'leur, Windham Road, Danielson, Conn. 06239 [2| Appl. No, 807,002 [22] Filed Mar. l3, I969 [45] Patented Mar. 2, 1971 (54] APPARATUS FOR FORMING PAVED CHANNELS 6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 94/46 [5 1] Int. Cl E01c 19/48 [50] Field of Search 94/46, 46 (A); 39

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,185,645 1/1940 Mosel 94/45 2,27l.333 l/l942 Farrell 94/46 2,589,256 3/1952 Homing 94/46 3,108,518 10/1963 OConnor 94/46 3,137,220 6/ l 964 Smith 94/46 3,254,578 6/1966 Bessette .6 94/46 329L012 l2/l966 Lee r. 94/46X Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr. Attorney-Albert H. Kirchner ABSTRACT: A paving machine for laying asphalt, preferably in double-curbed channel form, is provided with a steerable ground-engaging support section, a material storage hopper and a heater and spreader section through which fluidized asphaltic material is dispensed through detachable and in terchangeable orifice means and is thereby formed into a paved trough of any desired cross-sectional configuration.

Pdtented I March 2, 1971 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS NAPOLEON G. LAFLEUH ROGER F. LAFLEUR ATTORNEY Patented March 2, 1971 3,566,760

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l l N i l mvsmons NAPOUEON G. a LAFLEUR (LIRQGER F LAFLEUR n (L K: L- "d 4AM ATTORNEY Patented March 1971 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 LAFLEUR ATTORNEY Patented March 2, 1971 5 Sheets-Sheet A INVENTORS NAPOLEON G LAFLEUR ROGER F LAFLEUR I (Mm.

ATTORNEY Patented March 2, 1971 3,566,760

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS NAPOLEON G. LAFLEUR ROGER F. LAFLEUR Z (t (dw/AM/ ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR FORMING PAVED CHANNELS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to paving machines and more particularly to an asphalt paving machining machine for laying, onto a pregraded path, a continuous, double-curbed channel for effluent water control on roadside grades and the like.

In the control of effluent water, the flow is generally transmitted over the surface of the terrain in a channel formed of structural material, such as concrete, asphalt or the like. The channel is generally constructed by laying a horizontal surface and then forming or installing upright curbs along the sides thereof to contain the running water so as to prevent erosion of the ground over which it flows.

The invention has particular application to modern highway construction wherein the banks of large grading cuts and fills are subject to water erosion, so that ways and means must be taken to provide water control paths or channels. Prior methods of construction of such control means have proven to be expensive requiring considerable skilled labor to form, pour and finish the cementitious or bituminous material into the required final paved shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION TI-le invention constitutes a novel apparatus for continuously formingwater control channels in a manner which is more rapid and less expensive than has heretofore been possible, and this is accomplished by providing means for laying asphaltic material which fluidizes the mix and then simultaneously forms and lays it as a double-curbed water flow channel.

The invention also provides novel means to apply heat to asphaltic material in a paving apparatus to fluidize the material and maintain it in a proper plastic or fiowable condition throughout the paving process.

The invention also provides an asphalt paving apparatus having novel means for continuously fonning the material into a relatively complete paving structure as it is laid, thus eliminating laborious and costly hand finishing of the resultant structure. 4

In a preferred embodiment the invention comprises a material-receiving and supply hopper disposed over and communicating with a pair of side-by-side material feeding channels formed to dispense the materialin parallel curb-forming streams, with an intervening pavement-forming flow therebetween, heating chambers in conductive relation to each of the curb-forming and pavement-fonning streams, with steering means adjustably connected to the hopper, and adjustment means for regulating both the height and pressure exercised on the formed asphalt by the apparatus, and forming means proximate the outlet of the material streams to furnish a final, formed configuration to the material as it is dispensed.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following detailed description when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals through the FIGS. thereof indicate like components, and wherein:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the apparatus, taken on the line 2 -2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a relatively enlarged detail of a component of the apparatus constituting a portion of theheating means;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus, taken along the line 5 5 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, but taken along the line 6 -6 ofFIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now first to FIG. 1, an apparatus in accordance with the invention is illustrated and comprises generally a steering section 10, a storage or supply hopper section 12, and a heater and spreader section 14.

With specific reference to the steering section 10, means 16, which in the disclosed, presently preferred embodiment of the invention are a pair of ground-engaging wheels, support a forward frame generally designated 18,- which frame comprises two sets of .longitudinal bars 20, pivotally connected to the hopper section 12 at 22 and interconnected to one another by means of a transverse bar 24. A towing bar 26, for connection to a tractor or other source of motivation (not shown), is mounted on the transverse bar 24(Platforms 28 are disposed on the framework to serve as support for personnel operating the apparatus. Obviously, other support means, such as cater pillar tracks, skids or the like, could be substituted for the wheels 16.

With reference now to FIG. 2, it will be noted that the wheels 16 are steerably mounted on the framework in bearings 30 and are controlled by rearwardly extending levers 32 which are connected to a tie rod 34. The tie rod is pivotally connected to a steering arm 36 which extends from a steering box 38 mounted on the bar 24. A steering column and wheel 40 actuate the arm 36 and simultaneously steer both wheels 16 so as to permit adjustment in tracking the apparatus during towing.

Turning now to FIG. I, a pair of hydraulic cylinders 44 are disposed between the forward framework and the forward surface of the hopper section I2, and are operated by a hand pump 46 to vary the relationship of the hopper section and the wheels 16 in respect of their relative horizontal relationship.

The hopper section 12 is made up of downwardly and inwardly tapering forward and rear walls 48 and 50 and sidewalls 52 and 54. The lower edges of the walls are reinforced by a strip 56 which supports, on its forward portion, a scraper or guard 58 which serves to plane the earth immediately ahead of the apparatus and fend off foreign objects which might be lying in the preformed, pregraded path of the apparatus. The lower portion of the interior of the hopper section is bifurcated by upwardly and inwardly sloping sidewalls 60 and 62 intersecting the front wall 48 and a forwardly sloping rear wall 64 which terminates in a vertical portion at the lower end thereof at a point spaced beneath the lower edge of the rear hopper wall 50.

The lower edge of the rear wall 50 terminates at a point substantially spaced from the ground and, proximate the center portion thereof, is provided with a downwardly extending plate 51 (FIGS).

As best seen in FIG. 6, the rear wall 64 intersects the plane of the depending plate 51 at a point spaced from the lower edge thereof, thereby providing an opening 66 to provide for reduced discharge of material from the hopper into the longitudinal central area of the apparatus. As best seen in FIG. 5, the lower edge of the rear wall 50, terminating at a level higher than the lower edge of the plate 51, provides for full flow of material into the area of the outer edges of the apparatus.

A lift hold 68 is affixed to the crest formed by the intersection between the inner walls 60 and 62 to provide means to hoist the apparatus when required.

The heater and spreader section 14 comprises left and right side tunnel-type channeling sections 70 a and 70b and a center section 72 (FIG. 3). The side tunnel or channel sections in the illustrated embodiment of the invention are substantially identical in mirror image, and the components of section 70a described specifically hereinafter are therefore equally applicable to corresponding components of section 70b. The section 70a terminates rearwardly in a vertical plate 74a which is bolted at 7 l to'the front of the section and is provided with a cutout along its lower edge to form an orifice, or dielike opening, which in the illustrated embodiment of the invention is of assymetn'cal, truncated triangular shape in order to form a curb of that cross-sectional shape, as will be seen.

The section 70a is formed with an outer sidewall 761, an inner sidewall 78a (FIG. 3) and an upper wall 80a. As best seen in dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 3, the section is also provided with inwardly and rearwardly tapering inside walls 81a, 82a and 840, which intersect the plate 74a around the orifice therein, and are integrally connected thereto, as by welding, so as to provide a gradually tapering tunnel for forming material flowing through it into a cross-sectional shape identical with the shape of the cutout opening that constitutes the orifice of the tunnel.

An important feature of the invention is the capacity of the machine to lay a channel paving in any of a wide variety of shapes, contours, sizes, etc., and to this end the tunnel assemblies are made detachable and interchangeable. As best seen in FIG. 3, the orifice plates 74a and 74b of the tunnel structures are bolted, at 71, to the ends of the outer and inner sidewalls 76a, 78a, 76b and 78b, and to the ends of the upper walls 80a and 80b. The plates have their respective tunnel structures integrated with them; hence when the plates are removed, the tunnel structures come off with them, and new and differently orificed plates, having appropriately shaped other tunnel structures for channeling paving material from the hopper section 12 to the plate orifice, are readily installed to produce a discharge in the required different form,

As can be seen particularly by reference to FIGS. and 6, a chamber 83a is formed between the outer and inner walls of the section 70a. The chamber is closed at the forward end by a forward plate 86a. This plate, as shown in FIG. 2, extends halfway across the forward part of the heater and spreader section 14 and is configured to correspond to the cross-sectional configuration of the forward part of that section. A heater 87a is disposed on the upper surface of the wall 80a in communication with the chamber 830 to provide venting therefor.

As best appears in FIG. 5, heat from the heater 87a flows through the chamber 83a, as indicated by the arrows, thereby heating the material within the tunnel defined beneath the fonning chamber 830. The heater 87a is connected to a source of fuel, such as a fuel oil or liquefied petroleum gas tank 90 through a conduit 92 controlled by a valve 94.

As shown in FIG. 4 the center section 72 is made up of a pair of spaced horizontal plates 96 and 98, apertured sidewalls 100 and 102, and forward and rear walls 104 and 106, forming a center chamber 107. A heater chamber 108 is disposed on the upper surface of the plate 96 and communicates with the chamber 107. The chamber 108 is provided with a vent 110 and contains a heater unit 112 which communicates through a branch of the conduit 92 (FIG. 3) with the fuel tank 90. The apertures in the sidewalls 100 and 102 coincide with like apertures in the walls 78a and 78b to provide communication between the center chamber 107 and the side chambers 83a and 83b. The thus described structure thereby provides means to heat both the side sections 70a and 70b and the center section 72 to fluidize material passing therethrough and to maintain the material in a fluid or semifluid condition until formation thereof and discharge onto the predetermined path.

A vertical plate 114 is mounted on the forward edge of the center section 72 to provide means to connect the center section to the structure by connection to the plates 86a and 86b (FIG. 2).

The walls or plates 86a and 86b have, at the outer ends thereof, forwardly extending plates 116a and 116b which, as best seen in FIG. 2, serve to limit the lateral distribution of the asphalt as it is discharged.

The walls 86a and 86b also have rearwardly extending anns 118a and 118b mounted proximate their point of juncture with the plates 116a and 11617. These arms are pivotally connected to a pair of longitudinal tie bars 120a and 12% at 121 which are mounted, at the forward ends thereof, on a pair of transversely extending axles 122a and 122b. The axles are rotatably mounted through sleeves 124a and l24b mounted in the hopper section 12 and are journaled by a sleeve 126, thereby allowing independent pivoting of the tie bars 120a and 12% (FIG. 2).

A pair of hand-operated jackscrews 128a and 128!) are mounted on the tunnel sections 7011 and 70b. The rearmost ends of the bars a and 12% threadedly engage the jackscrews in such a manner that, upon rotation of the screws, the rear ends of the bars are displaced upwardly or downwardly, depending on the direction of rotation of the screws.

The structure thus provides means for independently applying pressure to comers of the heater section 14 according to the finish requirements of the paving to be laid. For example, if greater pressure is desired on the right rear corner of the section 14, the jackscrew 1280 is rotated to move the rear end of the bar 120a upwardly, thereby imposing an upward force on the forward end of the section 14 at the pivot 121 and increasing downward pressure applied through the jackscrew to the rearward end of the section. If a reverse force application is desired, the jackscrew 1280 is rotated to move the rearward end of the bar 120a downwardly, thereby applying downward pressure to the forward end of the section 14 through the pivot 121 and corresponding upward tension through the jackscrew 128a to the rearward end of the section. By similar actuation of the jackscrews 128b, the pressure can be independently controlled on the opposite side of section 14.

In operation of the apparatus, the path to be paved is graded and the machine, pulled by suitable towing means, is aligned in the path. Preheated asphaltic material 132 is then loaded into the hopper section 12 and forward movement of the apparatus is begun. The material 132 flows, under the influence of gravity, between the plate 64 and the plate 50 through the opening 66 to a point beneath the center section and, in a greater quantity due to the larger opening, beneath the tunnel sections 70a and 70b. The burners 87], 87b and 112 are ignited and heat is applied to the material beneath the sections to fluidize the material to a formable condition. As the forward movement of the apparatus continues, the material is extruded through the orifices in the plates 74a and 74b and beneath the center section 72, to form a pair of curbs 134a and 1341) at the sides of a connecting center pavement 136. As required by the amount of paving to be accomplished, the hopper section 12 is periodically refilled.

The foregoing description and illustrations in the drawings are intended to be illustrative merely to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention in the presently preferred form. It is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced in other and further modified forms.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for forming paved channels comprising:

a hopper section for containing asphaltic composition paving material;

a forward wheel section pivotally connected to the hopper section, extending forwardly therefrom, and mounting the hopper section for movement along a predetermined path to be paved;

a rearward heater and spreader section pivotally connected to the hopper section, extending rearwardly therefrom and being in communication therewith to receive material therefrom;

means in said heater and spreader section for heating and forming said material therein and discharging it in predetermined formed shape onto said path; and

means interconnecting said heater and spreader section and its pivotal connection to the hopper section for raising and lowering the heater and spreader section to adjust the proximity thereof to the surface of the path.

2. Apparatus for forming paved channels comprising the structure claimed in claim I:

in which the last named means comprises a lifting and lowering jack disposed at each opposite rear end corner of the heater and spreader section, and

adapted to be independently operated to apply adjusting fore selectively to either side of said section.

3. Apparatus for forming a paved channel comprising:

a ground-engaging support means;

a material-dispensing hopper mounted thereon; channeling means operatively connected to said hopper for receiving material dispensed therefrom comprising: a pair of laterally spaced relatively high tunnel structures; an intervening relatively low center section; and said structures and section terminating in an orifice plate vertically disposed at the rear end of the apparatus and having a discharge configuration for forming curbs from material from the tunnel structures and for form ing a connecting center pavementfrom material from the center section; and heating burner means mounted on said center section having flues connected in heating relation to said center secin combination with jack means connecting said structure with the hopper for adjusting pressure exerted by said structure on the discharging material.

6. Apparatus for forming a paved channel comprising:

a ground-engaging support means;

a material-dispensing hopper mounted on said support means;

discharge means beneath said hopper for dispensing asphaltic material therefrom; 1

said discharge means including an orifice for forming the discharging material into a predetermined cross-sectional configuration;

channeling means between said hopper and said orifice for conducting material therebetween;

heater means surrounding at least a portion of said channeling means to heat material passing therethrough to a forrnable condition;

said heater means comprising a flue structure; and

said channeling means including a tunnel structure enclosed within the flue structure and terminating rearwardly in an orifice plate removably attached to and closing the flue structure. 

1. Apparatus for forming paved channels comprising: a hopper section for containing asphaltic composition paving material; a forward wheel section pivotally connected to the hopper section, extending forwardly therefrom, and mounting the hopper section for movement along a predetermined path to be paved; a rearward heater and spreader section pivotally connected to the hopper section, extending rearwardly therefrom and being in communication therewith to receive material therefrom; means in said heater and spreader section for heating and forming said material therein and discharging it in predetermined formed shape onto said path; and means interconnecting said heater and spreader section and its pivotal connection to the hopper section for raising and lowering the heater and spreader section to adjust the proximity thereof to the surface of the path.
 2. Apparatus for forming paved channels comprising the structure claimed in claim 1: in which the last named means comprises a lifting and lowering jack disposed at each opposite rear end corner of the heater and spreader section, and adapted to be independently operated to apply adjusting fore selectively to either side of said section.
 3. Apparatus for forming a paved channel comprising: a ground-engaging support means; a material-dispensing hopper mounted thereon; channeling means operatively connected to said hopper for receiving material dispensed therefrom comprising: a pair of laterally spaced relatively high tunnel structures; an intervening relatively low center section; and said structures and section terminating in an orifice plate vertically disposed at the rear end of the apparatus and having a discharge configuration for forming curbs from material from the tunnel structures and for forming a connecting center pavement from material from the center section; and heating burner means mounted on said center section having flues connected in heating relation to said center section and said tunnel structures for fluidizing material therein and facilitating its discharge in formed configuration from the orifice plate.
 4. Apparatus for forming a paved channel as claimed in claim 3, in which said orifice plate is detachable for replacement by other orifice plates having different discharge configurations.
 5. Apparatus for forming a paved channel as claimed in claim 3: in which said channeling means comprises an integrated structure pivotally connected to said hopper; and in combination with jack means connecting said structure with the hopper for adjusting pressure exerted by said structure on the discharging material.
 6. Apparatus for forming a paved channel comprising: a ground-engaging support means; a material-dispensing hopper mounted on said support means; discharge means beneath said hopper for dispensing asphaltic material therefrom; said discharge means including an orifice for forming the discharging material into a predetermined cross-sectional configuration; channeling means between said hopper and said orifice for conducting material therebetween; heater means surrounding at least a portion of said channeling means to heat material passing therethrough to a formable condition; said heater means comprising a flue structure; and said channeling means including a tunnel structure enclosed within the flue structure and terminating rearwardly in an orifice plate removably attached to and closing the flue structure. 